Cyclogyro

The cyclogyro, or cyclocopter, is an aircraft configuration that uses a horizontal-axis cyclorotor as a rotor wing to provide lift and, sometimes, also propulsion and control. In principle, the cyclogyro is capable of vertical take off and landing and hovering performance, like a helicopter, while potentially benefiting from some of the advantages of a fixed-wing aircraft.

The cyclogyro is distinct from the Flettner airplane, which uses a cylindrical wing rotor to harness the Magnus effect.

The cyclogyro's cyclorotor is similar to a Voith Drive, which is a type of propeller used on some boats. They work in almost exactly the same way, except a Voith Drive can produce a force in any direction, whilst a cyclogyro is only designed to produce lift in upwards directions. The other main difference is that Voith Drives work underwater but cyclogyros work in air.